The Lavish Dallas Home Of Kelli and Gerald Ford

By Mer, on January 10th, 2012

The February 2012 issue of Veranda featured stunning photographs from the Dallas house of Kelli and Gerald Ford. Designer Kelli Ford, is the gorgeous Dallas, Texas-based designer wife of banker billionaire Gerald Ford. Kelli and her sister, Kirsten Fitzgibbons, designed the house together. They combined bold color and formal architecture to create a balance of whimsey and elegance.

The Ford home is a 25,791 square foot solid masonry manse built in 2006 with six bedrooms, ten full and six half baths — perfectly conforming to my ratios of two baths plus for every bedroom – three stories, an elevator or two, and gorgeous design.

One of the most outstanding elements of the home were the walls which were upholstered or painted in the bold Kirk Brummel fabric. The fabric matched the walls, and gave the room a prestigious appearance. A bright yellow gallery was incredibly beautiful with a David Hicks-inspired geometric patterned stone floor. The same color is used in the bedroom where a brightly upholstered yellow slipper chair sits by the bed.

Some Additional Finds Online:

This French Empire Style Marble Top Table, is a stunning piece featuring a solid marble top, rimmed with a pierced brass gallery over a solid mahogany base. A round apron of mahogany is adorned with large brass mounts of a round floral wreath flanked by anthemion designs, each corner topped with a five point star. The top rests over three solid mahogany molded columns, topped by incredibly well cast Caryatid solid brass figural mounts, terminating over detailed brass feet. The center of the triangular base has a round wreath, and the entire table rests over three solid mahogany bun feet. This is a gorgeous table, masterfully executed and an absolute eye catcher. It captures the French Empire period in every aspect of the design, and works flawlessly in any French inspired room. This is a must have for the decorator and collector alike. This table is listed for $2,075.00

This elaborate French Empire Barrel Mahogany Bergere features glorious Ram Head Mounts and is believed to be dated between 1830-60. This chair is a beautiful work of art with incredible swirled mahogany veneers. The crest is decorated with a vase over acanthus leaves, swirls rising from the vase to culminate in a four petal flower, each flanking a round floral motif, the square exposed arms wrapping around the back to terminate in incredibly cast Ram Head brass mounts. The arms flank a broad and quite comfortable upholstered seat, back and arms, each with a “bee” decorated upholstery. Sloped arm supports complete the frame, resting into a straight straight apron with pierced anthemion mounts flanking a round patera. The knees are topped by round patera designs as well, each front leg being square and tapered, the rear legs square and softly back swept, all terminating in original brass casters. This is a gorgeous chair and an absolute work of art. In quite rare form with all original mounts, each cast with incredible detail, this is a wonderful find for the collector of French Empire. It is sturdy in all joints with a strength throughout capable of enduring several generations with your family. It is listed on ebay for $3,775.00